A plan would be chalked out to promote interfaith harmony

Lahore: A meeting was held at St Anthony’s Church Lahore on Monday to evolve a strategy to avoid in future incidents such as recent one in Badami Bagh Christian neighbourhood.

The meeting was chaired by and joined by Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill, Badshahi Mosque Khateeb Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Allama Tahir ul Ashrafi,Maulana Zubair Ahmad Zaheer, MPA Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, Bishop Alexander John Malik and others. Allama Tahir-ul-Ashrafi said that a plan would be chalked out to promote interfaith harmony for complete peace in society.

Later, Allama Tahir Ashrafi briefed the media about the decisions taken in the meeting which include that coming Friday would be observed as solidarity and tolerance day to express solidarity with the Christian community.

The members of the meeting urged the federal and provincial governments to arrest the accused with the help of TV footage involved in destroying the property of the Christians and they should be tried under anti-terrorism law.A committee comprising Muslim scholars, bishops and Christian scholars was formed which would extend support to the victims and also monitor the situation.

The meeting also declared that a person involved in discreating holy books and prophets does not belong to any religion.

Bishop Alexander John Malik said the Christian community respected the prophets and holy books of other religions as it respects the Holy Bible and Hazrat Isa (AS).

Abdul Khabeer Azad said that strict action should be taken against the accused.

Later, the members of the meeting visited the Badami Bagh and offered prayers for the affectees.